Utility cart

ABSTRACT

The utility cart of the present application comprises a frame, at least two wheels and a storage panel. In one embodiment, the storage panel is removable and capable of being replaced with an alternate storage panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to devices and methods forstoring and transporting collections of items. More specifically, thepresent application relates to a utility cart having certainadvantageous features.

BACKGROUND

Portable utility carts and cabinets are well known for storing andtransporting a variety of items, such as audio/video equipment, toolsets and supplies for hotel service employees. Prior art utility cartsare typically designed to carry either disparate items or an inflexiblepredefined set of specific items. A need therefore exists for a utilitycart which can be reconfigured as desired to carry a defined set ofitems. Additionally, a need exists for a cart that securely carries atool bag while providing visibility of items secured to the tool bag.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present application, an exampleutility cart is disclosed. The first example cart comprises: a frame; aplurality of wheels supporting the frame; a storage panel fastenerattached to the frame; and a first storage panel comprising a pluralityof holders, the first storage panel being moveable between a firstposition and a second position. The first storage panel may be securedto the storage panel fastener in the first position and the firststorage panel may be detached from the storage panel fastener in thesecond position

According to a second aspect of the present application, an exampleutility cart is disclosed. The second example cart comprises: a frame; aplurality of wheels supporting the frame; a handle attached to theframe; a tool bag basket attached to the handle; and a tool bag disposedwithin and supported by the basket. The tool bag comprises at least oneholder disposed along the exterior surface of the tool bag, and theholder is for securing an item to the tool bag. The basket is contouredto mate with the tool bag, and the basket comprises a plurality ofsupport members for supporting the tool bag. The plurality of supportmembers are spaced apart to enable at least a portion of the item to bevisible when the tool bag is disposed within the basket

According to a third aspect of the present application, an exampleutility cart is disclosed. The third example cart comprises: a framecomprising a door compartment base, a door compartment top retainer anda door compartment side retainer; a plurality of wheels supporting theframe; and a door compartment hingedly attached to the frame. The doorcompartment comprises a door front, a door top, and at least one doorside. The door top is attached to the door front, and the door top beingmovable between a first position wherein the door top engages the doorcompartment top retainer, and a second position wherein the door topdoes not engage the door compartment top retainer. The door front ismoveable between a closed position in which the door side engages thedoor compartment side retainer and an open position in which the doorcompartment side does not engage the door compartment side retainer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present application, an exampleutility cart is disclosed. The fourth example cart comprises: a frame; aplurality of wheels supporting the frame; a work surface supported bythe frame; at least one fixed side wall attached to the frame; and atleast one moveable side wall attached to the frame. The at least onefixed side wall and the at least one moveable side wall at leastpartially surround the work surface to prevent items from dropping offthe work surface.

According to a fifth aspect of the present application, an example toolbag is disclosed. The example tool bag comprises: a frame; a flexiblecovering comprising at least a portion of an outer surface of the toolbag; and a tool holder, the tool holder being hingedly attached to theframe. The tool holder is movable between a first position in whichlateral profile of the tool holder is reduced, and a second position inwhich the lateral profile of the tool holder is enlarged. The toolholder is configured to receive a handle of a tool when in the secondposition.

According to a sixth aspect of the present application, an example viceis disclosed. The example vice comprises: a base and a jaw. The basecomprises a horizontally disposed work surface, and the base defines anindexing void for receiving an indexing element. The jaw comprises ahorizontally disposed gripping surface, and the jaw is verticallymovable to and from the work surface. The jaw is hinged such that thejaw may be rotated between a first position in which the grippingsurface is directly above the work surface and a second position inwhich at least a portion of the gripping surface is not disposeddirectly above the work surface. The jaw further comprises an indexingelement that mates with the indexing void when the gripping surface isin close proximity to the work surface and the jaw is in the firstposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses,systems, methods, and so on, and are used merely to illustrate variousexample embodiments. It should be noted that various components depictedin the figures may not be drawn to scale, and that the variousassemblies and designs depicted in the figures are presented forpurposes of illustration only, and should not be considered in any wayas limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a right side view of an example utility cart.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the example utility cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the example utility cart of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the storage compartment of the example utility cartof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the example utility cart of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the example utility cart ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of the example utility cart ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front left perspective view of the example utilitycart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front left perspective view of the example utilitycart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of the exampleutility cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top left rear perspective view of the exampleutility cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top right rear perspective view of the exampleutility cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates a magnified perspective view of vice in closedposition.

FIG. 14 illustrates a magnified perspective view of vice in openposition.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following reference characters identify the associated elementsdepicted in the drawings describing the present invention:

-   100 Cart-   102 Frame-   104 Rear Wheel-   106 Front Wheel-   108 Handle-   110 Wastebasket Retainer-   112 Basket-   114 Drink Holder-   116 Tool Bag-   118 Door-   119 Door Side Retainer-   120 Door Top-   122 Work Surface-   124 Fixed Side Wall-   126 Hinged Side Wall-   128 Vice-   130 Drawer-   132 Bi-level Bottom-   134 Door Front-   136 Door Side-   138 Door Top-   140 Ladder Hanger-   142 Removable Storage Panel-   144 Removable Storage Panel-   146 Holder-   147 Elongated Void-   148 Cover-   150 Tool Holder-   152 Lock

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate various aspects of an example utility cart 100. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cart 100 comprises a frame 102, at least onerear wheel 104, at least one front wheel 106, a handle 108, awastebasket retainer 110, removable wastebasket 111, a tool bag retaineror basket 112, a drink holder 114, and a removable tool bag 116.

A left side view of cart 100 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, cart 100further comprises a door 118 which cooperates with door side retainer119 and door top 120. Cart 100 also comprises a work surface 122surrounded by fixed side walls 124 and hinged side wall 126. As shown,hinged side wall 126 is disposed in an open or down position. Cart 100comprises a vice 128, plurality of drawers 130, and a bi-level bottom132 which accommodates differently sized front wheels 106 and rearwheels 104.

The bi-level bottom 132 is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 furtherillustrates door compartment base 133 which defines the bottom of thedoor compartment when the door is disposed in a closed position.

Another left side view of cart 100 is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the hingedside wall 126 is disposed in a closed or up position. When the hingedside wall 126 is in the closed position, as shown more clearly in FIG.6, items on work surface 122 are retained within the work surface. Whenthe hinged side wall 126 is in the open position, as shown more clearlyin FIG. 7, items on work surface 122 are not so retained, and the hingedside wall 126 may function as an extension of the work surface 122.

A front left perspective view of cart 100 is shown in FIG. 8. As shown,cart 100 is configured such that door 118 is disposed in a closedposition. Door 118 comprises door front 134, a door side 136, and a doortop 138. Ladder hanger 140 is shown attached to door front 134.

Another front left perspective view of cart 100 is shown in FIG. 9. InFIG. 9, cart 100 is configured such that door 118 is disposed in an openposition. As illustrated with door 118 in the open position, door topretainer 117 is visible. Removable storage panels 142 and 144 aredisposed on the interior of door 118 and on cart 100, respectively.Storage panels 142 and 144 may be secured to cart 100 using storagepanel fasteners (not shown). In the illustrated example embodiment, thestorage panel fasteners are hook and loop style fasteners, commonlyreferred to as Velcro. Of course, one having ordinary skill in the artwill recognize numerous alternate embodiments for storage panelfasteners.

The storage panels 142 and 144 may be detached from the cart 100 andreplaced with a substitute or alternate tool panel. This allows the cart100 to be customized for specific applications, such as may be requiredby electrical contractors, hotel maintenance employees, computer repairpersonnel and plumbers, for example. Each storage panel may compriseholders, such as holder 146, for retaining desired items within cart100.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a rear perspective view of cart 100 ispresented. As shown in FIG. 10, cart 100 is configured with hinged sidewall 126 disposed in an open position such that it provides an extensionfor work surface 122. Further tool bag 116 has been removed from cart100 providing a view of cover 148 and a more complete view of basket112. Vice 128 is also illustrated in its closed configuration.

FIG. 11 provides another rear perspective view of cart 100 wherein toolbag 116 is disposed within basket 112. As shown, tool bag 116 comprisesa frame, a flexible covering comprising at least a portion of an outersurface of the tool bag, and a tool holder 150. The tool holder 150 ishingedly attached to the frame, and the tool holder 150 is movablebetween a first position in which tool holder 150 may be foldeddownward, thereby reducing the lateral profile of the tool holder 150(not shown), and a second position in which the lateral profile of thetool holder 150 is enlarged, as shown in FIG. 11. In the secondposition, the tool holder 150 is configured to receive a handle of atool.

FIG. 12 provides an upper right rear perspective view of cart 100wherein the tool bag 116 is covered by cover 148. As illustrated, cover148 may be locked using a standard lock 152

FIG. 13 provides a magnified perspective view of vice 128 in a closedposition. FIG. 14 provides a magnified perspective view of vice 128 inan open position. As illustrated, vice 128 is a compact and lightweighttool. Vice 128 comprises a base 154 comprising a horizontal worksurface, and a jaw 156 comprising a gripping surface. Jaw 156 cooperateswith mechanism 158 to enable movement of the jaw 156 between an open andclosed position thereby retaining a work piece between the work surfaceand the gripping surface.

Jaw 156 further comprises an indexing element 160 which mates with anindexing void defined by base 154 so as to properly orient the jaw 156with respect to the base 154. When jaw 156 is opened beyond the depth ofthe indexing element 160, the orientation of jaw 156 is no longer fixed,allowing jaw 156 to be swiveled or rotated away from the work surface toenable the work surface of base 154 to be used without obstruction.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

Furthermore, while the devices, systems, methods, and so on have beenillustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict, or in any way, limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the devices, systems, methods, and so on provided herein.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, isnot limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventiveconcept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of theinvention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Finally, to the extent that the term “includes” or “including” isemployed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims(e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When theapplicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term“only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when theapplicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, theapplicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of theterm “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See BryanA. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).

What is claimed is:
 1. A cart comprising: a frame; a handle comprisingan integrated basket; a plurality of wheels supporting the frame; a doorhingedly attached to the frame, the door being movable between an openand a closed position, the door cooperating with at least a portion ofthe frame to define a storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition; a first removable storage panel affixed to the door anddisposed within the storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition, the first storage panel comprising a plurality of toolholders; and a second removable storage panel affixed to the frame anddisposed within the storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition, the second storage panel comprising a plurality of toolholders.
 2. The cart of claim 1 wherein the frame defines an elongatedvertical void for storing an elongated item.
 3. The cart of claim 1wherein the frame comprises a bi-level base for accommodating wheels ofdifferent sizes.
 4. The cart of claim 1 wherein the cart furthercomprises a basket cover.
 5. The cart of claim 1 wherein the framecomprises a hinged side wall and a vice disposed adjacent to the hingedside wall.
 6. A cart comprising: a frame, the frame comprising a handlecomprising an integrated basket, the frame further comprising a hingedside wall and a vice disposed adjacent to the hinged side wall; aplurality of wheels supporting the frame; a door hingedly attached tothe frame, the door being movable between an open and a closed position,the door cooperating with at least a portion of the frame to define astorage compartment when the door is in the closed position; a firstremovable storage panel affixed to the door and disposed within thestorage compartment when the door is in the closed position, the firststorage panel comprising a plurality of tool holders; and a secondremovable storage panel affixed to the frame and disposed within thestorage compartment when the door is in the closed position, the secondstorage panel comprising a plurality of tool holders.
 7. The cart ofclaim 6 further comprising a basket cover.
 8. The cart of claim 6wherein the frame defines an elongated vertical void for storing anelongated item.
 9. The cart of claim 6 wherein the frame comprises abi-level base for accommodating wheels of different sizes.
 10. A cartcomprising: a frame, the frame comprising a bi-level base foraccommodating wheels of different sizes, a handle comprising anintegrated basket, a hinged side wall and a vice disposed adjacent tothe hinged side wall; a plurality of wheels supporting the frame; a doorhingedly attached to the frame, the door being movable between an openand a closed position, the door cooperating with at least a portion ofthe frame to define a storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition; a first removable storage panel affixed to the door anddisposed within the storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition, the first storage panel comprising a plurality of toolholders; and a second removable storage panel affixed to the frame anddisposed within the storage compartment when the door is in the closedposition, the second storage panel comprising a plurality of toolholders.